High Court stays circular on repatriation of corpses from Gulf

The HC stayed the circular while considering a petition filed against it by a Kerala expatriate who lives in Abu Dhabi The court observed that a decent burial is a constitutional right The controversial order issued by the health inspector of the Karipur airport had generated widespread criticism 

The Kerala High Court has stayed the controversial circular issued by Karipur airport officials, which insisted on a 48-hour advance notice and prior approval to bring dead bodies from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries back home.

The HC on Monday stayed the circular while considering a petition filed against it by a Kerala expatriate who lives in Abu Dhabi. The court observed that a decent burial is a constitutional right.

The controversial order issued by the health inspector of the Karipur airport had generated widespread criticism, mostly from NRIs from the Gulf. If the new orders were to be implemented, it would take at least four days to bring back a corpse home. And if the death happens on a weekend, it would take six days.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier intimated the Centre about the Karipur airport not allowing to repatriate corpses, citing the new conditions, even after it received all required documents.